Device for practicing golf strokes



Oct. 29, 1929. L. YAGGI- 1,733,767

I DEVICE FOR PRACTICING GOLF STROKES Filed Nov. 12, 1.92

5&1 F245. 2 HQ. 3

. Patented Dot-29, 1929 LAWRENCE E. YAGGI, OF EAST CLEVELAND, OHIO DEVICE FOR PRACTICING GOLF STROKES Application filed November 12, 1927. Serial No. 232,833.

This invention relates to devices for practicing golf strokes, and has for its principal object to provide such a device which is of simple and inexpensive construction, and

practical for practicing golf strokes either" indoors or out of doors.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of said character, which will indicate to the one practicing upon examination after each stroke whether he is making a perfect stroke or an imperfect stroke.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of said character, in which the target of rubber when damaged or worn out may be readily replaced.

l/Vith the above and other objects in view, the invent-ion will be hereinafter fully described as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and the novel features thereof will be distinctly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Figure l is a front elevation of a device for practicing golf strokes constructed in accordance with my invention,

Fig. 2 is an edge view of Figure 1,

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the device illustrating a construction employing a ball and socket joint, certain parts being broken away to better show the construction,

Fig. 4 is an edge view of the ball and socket portion of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a view of the upper portion of Fig. 2, illustrating the movement in dotted lines of the target of sheet rubber after being struck, and

Fig. 6 is a plan view illustrating the rotary movement of the target of sheet rubber when struck off center in the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents a flat piece of rubber having a circular head 2 preferably of the same diameter as a golf ball to serve as a target, which head is supported by a long neck 3. The lower or free end of the neck 3 is rigidly supported between the upper portions of a pair of side members 4 and 5, the edges 6 and 7 of which taper to provide points at 8 and 9 for penetrating the ground. The side 'members" 4; and 5 are fixed together by means of a rivet 10, 'and'other rivets 11 and 12, which pass through said side members and through the neck 3, serve to securesaid neck to said side members and also to fix said side members together. Removable bolts 13 and 14 may be employed instead of the rivets 11 and 12 so that worn pieces of rubber 1 maybe easily replaced. The upper part of the side member 4t isbent at a right angle to provide a lug or step 15 for receiving the foot of the player for forcing the side members into the ground. p

In practice, the side members 4 and. 5 are forced into; the ground by means" of the players foot until the lug or step 15 is even with or slightly below the surface. The player strikes atthe head 2, and the resilient neck 3 bends forwardly in the direction of the stroke as illustrated in Fig. 5, then it bends rearwardly carrying the head to normal vertical position.

In order that the player may know when practicing that he has struck the head 2 off center, a ball and socket joint is provided between the head and its support. This construction is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The sheet rubber head is indicated by 16, and its long integral neck 17 is fixed by means of rivets 18 and 19 between halves 20 and 21 forming a ball member 22. Side members 23 and 24, which have. a socket 25 at their'upperends for accommodating the ball member 22, and lower pointed ends 26 for entering the ground, are fixed together by rivets at 27 and 28. When the player strikes the head 16 squarely or at its vertical center the neck 17 will bend as already described, but when the head is struck off center or in other words at one side of its vertical center, the head will rotate to a corresponding angular position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6. By noting the positionof the head, the player may be guided in making his next trial stroke. The ball and socket joint at 22 and 25 is so constructed as to produce the proper rotary friction. V

From the drawings and description, it will be seen that the device for practicing golf strokes disclosed is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, that it will indicate to the player whether he is making a perfect or an imperfect stroke, and that the device is practica'l for the purpose intended.

Having fully described my'invention, what I I claim is:

1. In a device for practicing golf strokes,

V the combination of a support, the support having a pointed end, a step at the upper end of the support for facilitating the forcing of the support into the ground by means of a persons foot, and a piece of flexible material fixed to and extending beyond the upper. end

of said support.

2. In a device for practicing golf strokes, the combination of a support, the support consisting of two side members, a piece of sheet rubber, the piece of sheet rubber consisting of a circular head and a long narrow neck, the free end of the neckbeing arranged betweensaid side members, and means fixing together said side. members and securing said neck therebetween.

3. In a device for practicing golfstrokes, the combination of a support, the support consisting ofv two side members, the side members-having lower pointed ends, a piece of sheet rubber, the piece of sheet rubber being arranged between the upper ends of said side members and extending thereabove,

and means fixingtogether said side members and securing. said. piece of'sheet rubber therebetween.

In testimonywhereof I afilx my signature.

LAWRENCE E. 'YAGGI. 

